White Sox give manager Ventura extension

The Chicago White Sox agreed to a multi-year contract extension with manager Robin Ventura on Friday, hours before their annual fan convention.

The terms were not disclosed. Ventura turned down an extension before the 2013 season, leading to speculation that he might not stick around much longer.

"We have been on the same page since day one, but I’m very happy to have this behind us so we can continue to keep our focus on the playing field," Ventura said in a statement. "I’m excited about the direction of the club and the moves we have made this offseason, but there is still a lot of work to be done so I think we’re all ready to get to spring training and get started."

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He led the White Sox to 85 wins and a second-place finish in the AL Central, but they dropped to 63-99 while finishing last in his second season. Ventura, 46, is 148-176 in two seasons.

He spent 16 major-league seasons with the White Sox (1989-98), New York Mets (1999-2001), New York Yankees (2002-03) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2003-2004), hitting .267 with 294 home runs and 1,182 RBIs.

"Jerry (Reinsdorf), Kenny (Williams), Robin and I have had many conversations about our objectives in both the short and long term," general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "We are in complete agreement with the direction and vision for this organization in 2014 and beyond. I have great confidence that Robin’s leadership and direction will help us reach our goals, and there was never really any question in our minds as to who we wanted in the White Sox dugout now and into the future."